Does your child under 10 years of age need dental care or services? In many cases, the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) covers the cost. To qualify for free services or care, you must present a valid health insurance card issued by RAMQ.
Care and services covered
The following dental care and services are free of charge for insured children under age 10. The care and services can have been provided at either a hospital or a dental clinic:
- Annual examination and emergency examination
- X-rays
- Local or general anesthesia
- Grey amalgam fillings on the premolar and molar teeth
- Prefabricated crowns
- Tooth and root extractions
- Root canal treatment of primary teeth, also called "baby teeth."
Certain oral surgery services provided at a hospital are also covered. They include drainage of an abscess, removal of a cyst or tumour, or jaw joint treatments.
For insured people diagnosed with cancer before age 18, other kinds of care can be covered. The care must be preauthorized under the Oral and Dental Services in Pediatric Oncology Program.
Care and services that are not covered
The following services are not covered by RAMQ:
- Cleaning
- Scaling
- Fluoride application
- Pit and fissure sealing
- Orthodontics (fitting of braces or palatal expansion, for example).
Do you have a claim slip issued by the Ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale (MESS)? You could be reimbursed for certain care that is not covered by RAMQ for your children 12 years of age and over.
Need help?
To know more about dental care covered under…
- The public health insurance plan: see RAMQ’s website;
- A claim slip: contact MESS.
Do you suspect that you paid for services that should have been covered by RAMQ? Are you dissatisfied with MESS services? To file a complaint, contact the Protecteur du citoyen. Our services are free and confidential.
Is your complaint about a private dental office or a dentist in particular? Contact the Ordre des dentistes du Québec instead.
